New Nanoengineering Minor Starts in Fall

June 26, 2009

The University of Houston is expanding its nanoscience and nanotechnology
offerings this fall with the launch of a unique program intended to give
undergraduates in-depth training and access to state-of-the-art equipment.

"At this point, the field of nanotechnology has matured so much that
this kind of coursework is needed at earlier stages of education," explained
professor of electrical and computer engineering Dmitri Litvinov, who is heading
up the program. "Our minor has a special emphasis on commercialization and will
give undergraduates knowledge and training usually reserved for graduate
students."

With financial support from the National Science Foundation,
the Cullen College of Engineering will provide two-year scholarships worth
$3,000 this fall to 15 juniors who choose a nanoengineering minor to complement
the degrees they're pursuing in electrical and computer engineering, chemical
and biomolecular engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The four courses in the nanoengineering minor will be taught by Cullen College of
Engineering faculty members, Litvinov said, and students will get hands-on
experience with nanotech instrumentation and fabrication techniques.

"The program will allow us to cross the defined borders of our
particular engineering disciplines to solve new problems using nano-objects. I
believe that in order to do big things in the future of engineering, we must
first master working with the very small things," said student Marlon Belleth,
an electrical and computer engineering major.

"Nanotechnology may provide answers to life's greatest problems. This technology will be a major tool for engineers in the future, and I plan on getting into it sooner than
later."

The college's dean, Joseph Tedesco, said the program will equip
students for both graduate study and careers.

"The Cullen College of Engineering has a robust, interdisciplinary group of faculty pursuing
nanotechnology research," he said. "Students participating in this program will
be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in nanotechnology-related fields, as well
as enter the semiconductor and hard-drive industries or the rapidly developing
biomedical industry."

About the University of HoustonThe University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan
research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and
institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and
governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country,
stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 36,000
students.

About the Cullen College of
EngineeringUH Cullen College of Engineering has produced five U.S.
astronauts, 10 members of the National Academy of Engineering and degree
programs that have ranked in the top 10 nationally. With more than 2,600
students, the college offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees in
biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer,
industrial and mechanical engineering. It also offers specialized programs in
aerospace, materials, petroleum engineering and telecommunications.
For more information about UH, visit the university's Newsroom at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/.